Please refer to the Rootsweb site for more questions and answers, or to see the full replies to the questions below.

Other Questions on this FAQ come from the Original FAQ, posted and copyrighted by John Caughey in 1997. In some cases, his replies were up-dated to reflect any changes which occurred at Rootsweb since then.

And finally, a few questions and answers are new additions. The Archive Question is a good example, for John did not have archive information on his original FAQ.

FAQ is short for the term "Frequently Asked Questions. It's purpose is to answer some of the most commonly asked questions for the topic it covers so that people have a ready reference to find answers.

This is a common question for the Newby to ask. A good place to start is at the Rootsweb "Getting Started" Page at:

A mailing list is a way of forwarding messages to others who are interested in the same subjects as you. You send your message to the list and it is sent to everyone who has subscribed to that list. And everything that anyone else sends to the list will be sent to you. It is a great way to find others who are researching in the same area or are researching the same surname.

You are asked to read and save the welcome message that you will receive when you subscribe to a mailing list. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions and participate with other subscribers. Each List Administrator will post the rules (if any) for the list in the welcome message that you receive when you join a list. These rules vary from list to list. Generally, you are asked to stay on topic and not post things like flames (insults, name calling, etc.,) virus warnings or hoax warnings. These, and the resulting emails they generate, waste RootsWeb's resources. You should not do anything to adversely affect the operations of RootsWeb who is hosting the mailing list. If you can not agree with or abide by the rules of the list, please just unsubscribe. There are tens of thousands lists at RootsWeb. Some strict. Some chatty. Hopefully you will find one that suits you better. Most of all, enjoy and learn.

RootsWeb doesn't set any specific rules for the lists that it hosts other than general ones about copyright infringement, use of profanity, illegal activities, or any other activities which may adversely affect the operations of RootsWeb itself. Generally, you are asked to stay on topic and not post things like flames, insults, name calling, etc., virus warnings or hoax warnings. These, and the resulting emails they generate, waste RootsWeb's resources. RootsWeb assumes we are intelligent and mature individuals who will benefit from having lists, and whose lists will benefit RootsWeb users.

List administrators are free to set guidelines for topic of conversation, query format, surname roll calls, etc. If you are uncertain what the rules are on your specific list - ask your list administrator for help. A basic set of guidelines for successful list discussion is also available on this page.

As a rule, RootsWeb chooses not to intervene in the affairs of individual lists -- and in all honestly, is just not able to "police" the 19,000+ lists (as of August 2000) on line. We do believe that folks should know how to handle themselves appropriately in a public forum and we do not condone any abusive language, harassment, or threats made by any list administrator or subscriber.

However, not all list subscribers and list administrators behave the same way and on occasion problems do arise. In an effort to recognize the concerns of subscribers the following options are available and have been posted for handling unusual mail list problems:

a) Try to work the situation out with your list administrator or with other subscribers of your list. Most often the cause of list problems is simply misunderstanding on the part of a subscriber or list administrator.

b) If the situation involves objectionable behavior by a subscriber or list administrator report them to their ISP.

c) Unsub from the list temporarily.

d) Look for an alternate list. If it is a surname list, try a location list for the area you are researching. If it is a location list, find a list that covers the same area or a surname list. Find a list that is more suitable to your needs.

e) Log an Official Complaint at:

https://support.rootsweb.com/mail.cgi

This form should be used only in extreme circumstances. Please remember that RootsWeb will not interfere with the List Administrator's rules. Nor can we be responsible for anything that happens privately between you and a List Administrator or between you and another subscriber. If someone was abusive to you, contact the isp of the offender. Your information will be kept confidential and will be reviewed by a member or members of the RootsWeb HelpDesk.

Generally, commercial posts are not allowed on a list unless that list was created for that purpose. The GEN-Market list is an example of such a list. Commercial posts should be placed on the Classified Message Boards at:

If you cross post to more than a few lists with a commercial post, you may be considered a spammer by the RootsWeb computer. Your message will be blocked, and possibly your name and address will be blocked from RootsWeb too.

The best guidelines come from plain old fashioned common sense. Here are few "technical" suggestions that will help ensure a successful mail list experience:

• Most of RootsWeb's mailing lists are not moderated, so your email will go to all the list subscribers. Take time to format your post -- think about who your target audience is and state your query clearly.
  
• Post your surnames in all CAPS. This means - last names only. Capitalized surnames are easier to identify in a long text message.
  
• State your subject clearly. Do not be vague or your post will go unread. Good subject lines might include: LAST NAME, first name (date of birth-date of death) place of birth (city, county, state, country)
  
• When replying to a thread (mail message) remove the auto generated RE: and add a new subject line. Most RE:'s subject lines are not read by mail list users. Also cut and paste only the portion of the mail needed to clarify your reply.
  
• When replying to a digest message, remove the RE: and cut the trailing digest (the copied portion of the old mail -- in digest -- the entire digest is copied into the new mail). Cut and paste only the portion of the digest needed to clarify your reply.

What kinds of posts can be made to a RootsWeb list?

Check with your list administrator. Some lists do not allow genealogical queries to be posted while others do. When you subscribe to a RootsWeb list -- a welcome message will be sent to you. List Administrators are urged to discuss the List Rules in this message. Print out this Welcome Letter and save it for future reference-- it will also contain instructions on how to unsubscribe from the list if you ever want to.

Do's and Don'ts in using a RootsWeb mail list

RootsWeb believes that folks should know how to handle themselves appropriately in a public forum and they do not condone any abusive language, harassment, or threats made by any List Administrator or Subscriber. However, it is unfortunate that some folks just don't know what is proper behavior. To help users know what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable behavior on a RootsWeb mail list-- here is a list of "Do's and Don'ts". If all List Administrator and subscribers follow these simple rules most list problems would end.

• DO NOT CROSS POST TO ANOTHER MAIL LIST. If you want to send a message to more than one list -- send it as a separate email. Cross-posting to multiple lists is tantamount to SPAM and can cause major problems for the RootsWeb mail server. A lot of users to do not understand how one email can cause a problem for a the mail server. However, a cross-posted email begins as one single message but it is sent to 20-30 lists (each list contains 100-1000 list subscribers). That one email has now generated upwards of 30,000 mail messages. Add to this the fact that each response to the mail will start the mail cycle over again. It is annoying and dangerous.
• Do not use abusive or degrading communication of any form on a RootsWeb list. Your list moderator will remove you from the list and will block your posts from reaching the list.
• Do not "bash" a list subscriber. If you do not agree with a mail message, then that is fine but it doesn't give you the right to make a personal attack against them.
• Send your comments privately to the poster. Do not send "bashing" comments to the whole list. Do not send partial "bash" threads to other lists - it is rude and will only cause problems down the road.
• Do not send "SPAM" in any form. This includes mail messages that are not on topic for your list, commercial advertising, or threatening mail (just to be annoying). Your list administrator will remove you from the list and will block your posts from reaching the list.

Spam is the name given to any unwanted email. Generally, it is mass mailings offering get rich quick schemes, advertisements, porn, virus warnings, hoaxes, etc.

It is not welcome on any list and it causes many problems. The massive loads these mass emails produce can cause the computers at RootsWeb to grind to a halt. Maiser, a former genealogy server like RootsWeb, was brought down by a single spammer (the person who sends the spam).

If you cross post to more than a few lists, you may be considered a spammer by the RootsWeb computer. At that time your message will be blocked, and possibly your name and address will be blocked from RootsWeb too.

If you are a list subscriber, e-mail your list administrator by replacing LISTNAME with the actual name of the list in this address:

[email protected]
For example: [email protected]

Address changes for mailing lists are done in a two-step process -- you need to unsubscribe using your old address, and you need to subscribe using your new address. If you do not know which lists you are subscribed to, Password Central will provide you with a listing. The address for Password Central is:

If you cannot send mail from your old address, please contact your mailing list administrator(s) and request the old address be manually unsubscribed.

A List Administrator is the person responsible for the daily operations of the list and is expected to handle bounced messages and help subscribers with list problems. RootsWeb believes we are all intelligent adults and know how to interact with others responsibly. It is RootsWeb's policy not to interfere in the daily workings of a list and will intervene only in extreme cases.

The List Administrator decides the character of the list, including what topics are allowed or not allowed. Some are very strict about this and others are very relaxed. A list admin may take an active role in keeping a list on topic and will monitor the list for objectionable posts or behavior. He or she may remind the subscribers about the evils of bogus virus warnings and other hoaxes to keep them from spreading since these things waste RootsWeb's resources. If the style of a list administrator does not suit you, please do not complain to the list about it. It will not help and will only generate more responses to the list. If you can not work out your differences with the administrator privately, then please consider finding another list. If you think you were treated unfairly, then you may file a complaint with the Complaint page at:

This form should be used only in extreme circumstances. Your information will be kept confidential. Please remember that RootsWeb will not interfere with the List Administrator's rules. Nor can we be responsible for anything that happens privately between you and a List Administrator or between you and another subscriber. If someone was abusive to you, contact the ISP (server) of the offender.

In May of 1997, however the Ireland list existed on another server prior to that time.

John Caughey, Belfast, Ireland.

The List Admin of the Ireland List, as of September of the year 2000, is Debbie Romilly. She may be contacted at:

To assist people who have an interest in history or genealogy associated with Ireland or her people. It is hope that all subscribers will try to help others as well as seeking help for themselves. Civility and good manners can play a vital part in achieving this.

To Subscribe to Ireland-L, send email to

and place the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

To Subscribe to Ireland=D, send email to:

and place the word Subscribe in the subject line

To Subscribe to Ireland-L, send email to

and place the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

To Unsubscribe to Ireland=D, send email to:

and place the word Unsubscribe in the subject line

They should first unsubscribe from the mode they are using, and then subscribe to the other mode required.

Messages should be sent to:

Messages sent there will appear in both places.

The Ireland List has an Archives section, located at:

It is set up in accordance to the month and year the messages were posted. However you can search the Rootsweb Archives by going to this site.

and type in the information for your search.

There is no "no mail" mode - - if one wants messages to stop, one should simply unsubscribe.

You can use your email program by utilizing the "Ignore Conversation" command.